"Knowing where
you are Down East means knowing that the beam from the Cape Lookout Lighhouse
flashes every fifteen seconds, pulsing like a heartbeat over Cape Point and
Shackleford Banks. To those at sea, it means danger. To the sons and daughters
of the Bankers, it means home." -Core Sound Waterfowl
Museum
|
Lighthouse
Facts • Located on Cape Lookout National Seashore • Built in 1859 • 150 feet high • Flashes every 15 seconds • Visible at least 12 miles out to sea • Unique diagonal checkerboard design • Only lighthouse that operates during the day •Contains 201 spiral iron steps •Became
fully automated in 1950 |
What’s unique about the Cape Lookout Lighthouse?
The first lighthouse was completed and lighted in 1812. It was a 96 foot high brick tower painted with red and white horizontal stripes. It proved to be too short to light the treacherous coast.
The present lighthouse was completed in 1859. In 1873 the lighthouse was painted in its distinctive black and white diagonal checkerboard pattern. It is the only lighthouse known to have this pattern.
The lighthouse is also unique because
the diamond pattern indicates compass direction. When the sailors
saw a black lighthouse with a white diamond pattern, that meant the ship
was sailing east or west. However, when the sailors saw a white lighthouse
with a black diamond, that meant the ship was sailing south or north.
Click here to shed more light on the subject!
Click here for questions and literature about the lighthouse.